There are a vast majority of people who enjoy comfortable communities in which everything is known. For some, however, staying in one place for our entire lifespan can get boring. I didn’t want to be subjected to walking down the same streets and being greeted by the same people; I needed to escape the uniformity. I crave insight and perspective from my new surroundings. Choosing to go to an out of state college has given me the opportunity to develop a home away from home that I could not be happier with. Here are some reasons why it can be really worth getting out of your hometown.

1. It gives you a chance to discover a new place and make it your own.

It doesn't matter if you're twenty minutes or hours from where you grew up. Getting out and discovering a place different from your own enables us to spread our wings. I think it's important to explore new areas to be aware of what is going on in places different from us. People can become so used to similarity that being anywhere different is fearful. Breaking the cycle and absorbing diversity is good for the soul.

2. You get the opportunity to meet interesting people.

There are so many interesting and wonderful people on this planet but you won't find them all in the same place. I've come to know so many many special people within a month of college alone and I could not be more grateful for the memories they've given me. You come to know people's stories and they come to know yours; sharing experiences and making new ones together allows us to grow.

3. It challenges you to leave your comfort zone.

Whether you've been too nervous to leave your comfort zone or you want to test your limits, leaving your hometown seriously challenges you into seeing how far you can go. I've learned to let go of some of my fears which have held me back most of my life and now, for the most part, take every opportunity I can.

4. It can be an incredible confidence booster.

The world is a very big (and, once in a while, scary) place so it's easy to feel insignificant within it. However, when you begin to acclimate to a new setting and you see that you are capable of survival, you'll want to see what else you can accomplish. Once I joined one program and saw that I fit in with my college's community, I became more active within it.

5. It's a chance to start over.

It can be really nice to come to a place where no one knows your name or your story so that you have the chance to reinvent yourself. When I came to Siena, I left behind my quietness and inability to be open as best as possible. It has helped me to grow as an individual and become more developed.

6. You learn to go with your gut instinct.

Sometimes you don't really know what you want or need until you go out into the world and see it for yourself. When you're independent, you have to think for yourself and be aware your decision making. Being away from the pressures of home has taught me to be my own individual and to explore my desires.

7. You will learn to appreciate where you've come from.

You never know what you have until you no longer have it. I have not yet felt homesickness but I do have a newfound appreciation for where I've come from. I've learned that where you come from affects who you are and that is important to how you perceive and take in new surroundings.

8. As the saying goes, you only live once.

This is your chance to be daring and independent. To seek adventure, to live, and to prosper in what you do. Living away from where you grew up has many advantages in shaping your future and allowing you the opportunities of a lifetime. It isn't about escaping your roots but rather nourishing yourself in fresh soil. Discovering a place where you feel comfortable and free to express yourself truly is the most important thing. In the end, you must lead the life that you want to in order to be content and fulfilled.